Re: Essay: The Decline of B/W Fan Fiction

[Kris <krismpy@xxxxxxxxx>]

I'm not sure if it's a good idea for me to post
on this topic since I've only been on this list
for about 4 months, give or take, and I've only
been reading Buffy fanfiction for a little longer
than that. So, seeing as how I missed the Golden
Age of Buffy Fanfiction, I may not be qualified;
but I'm going to attempt to air my thoughts
anyway. 
When I first came to this list I think I posted
some feedback to a couple or so writers that fell
somewhere in between the usual "good job, keep
going," and all out constructive criticism--the
main reason being was that I was new and didn't
want to overstep my bounds as a newbie. However,
after a bit, I noticed all the feeedback seemed
to be of the former variety, so I started posting
similar feedback thinking I had gone overboard
with my feedback after all. Kinda the "When in
Rome" theory, I guess.

Also, sometimes I find it difficult to put into
words what could help improve a piece. No matter
what, I can't put my finger on anything specific,
and so just settle for the "great fic, please do
more" type feedback because I felt the writer
should at least know I read and liked their work
even though I was drawing a blank on possible
areas of refinement.

Another reason I sometimes hold back on my true
feelings about a piece is because I figure the
writer's style is just not the style I'd prefer
to read. A recent example of this on this list
would be Mad-Hamlet's feedback to a writer
(sorry, I forget who and which story at the
moment) about dialogue. "Talking Heads" is the
term Mad-Hamlet used, I believe. Anyway, I
totally agree with everything M-H said about
reading dialogue, and probably go way overboard
myself on tagging who's saying what and to whom
in my own writing. I personally prefer that
style of writing, but I realize there are other
styles that are equally valid. Hemingway springs
to mind as a famous writer who wrote dialogue in
such a fashion as to exasperate me, but if I'm
remembering correctly, also won a nobel prize. 
Who am I to argue with that?

And of course there's the huge fear that I'm
going to totally piss off the writer with my
feedback and wind up on their black list, whether
my feedback is on target or not.

Having said all that on giving feedback, I'm
going to say I agree that getting
feedback--solid, constructive criticism type
feedback--is definitely desireable. If I
wouldn't have had one wine cooler too many the
night I posted my attempt at a fic, I wouldn't be
able to see both sides of the coin. But the deed
is done and I do see both sides. Don't get me
wrong, I definitely appreciate all the posts that
simply say, "I like this," but I know my fic
could be better, and even though I never really
intended to write it, let alone post it, I'd like
to know how I could polish it. At first I was
content with it being just ok, but a post to the
JAABAW forum made me realize there's no reason
why I shouldn't polish it up to the best of my
abilities. Of all the replies I received, I
think Rod was the only one trying to point out a
few things to me (at least I think he was the one
since I lost the emails and am going by memory),
but I was too stupid, or possibly complacent, to
go back and look at my writing and see. 

If you're still with me to this point, here's
what I propose we do to make this list a place
that will produce superior fiction. And we all
want that so we can prove once and for all that
Buffy and Willow are THE 'ship! Sorry, just had
to throw that in. Though in the end we might be
able to lighten Dan's burden of converting all
the other 'ship worshippers. :)

Readers - Do the constructive criticism thing. 
Point out what you really like and what you
didn't like. If you're up for it, point out
typos, misspelled words,
inconsistencies--whatever you think would make
the piece better. If you're like me and are
having a hard time articulating what you think
might help the writer, open up a discussion with
them and maybe together you can flesh it out. 
Just don't flame, that won't help anyone.

Now, I realize doing this takes time and effort,
so I'm not saying you need to do it all the time.
And I know not all stories are going to be your
cup of tea, no matter how well written, so don't
burn yourselves out on it either.

Writers - On the flip side, don't get upset with
feedback that only says, "liked it." At least
that means they read it and did indeed like it. 
I can't imagine why anyone would take the time to
email if they really didn't. Try to keep in mind
that the reader may be too shy to express their
opinions, too. 

Everyone - It goes without saying that each
person is going to have their own strengths and
weaknesses. Work with what you've got, and let
others help with what you don't. Most
importantly--Have Fun! 

Also, I'm not saying we should all wake up
tomorrow morning and flood the list with
mountains of feedback, just take small steps. Or
if I'm way out of line here, just ignore me.

Kris

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